Positioner



Nov. 8, 1966 R. z. HAGUE ETAL 3,283,782

POSITIONER Original Filed Jan. 7, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORSROBERT Z. HAGUE HOWARD H. LAUCKS BY CONRAD C. TREFF ATTORNEYS Nov. 8,1966 R. z. HAGUE ETAL POSITIONER Original Filed Jan. 7, 1963 10Sheets-Sheet 2 "77 was 7 9 INVENTORS ROBERT Z. HAGUE HOWARD H. LAUCKS BYCONRAD C. REFF 1/0 24 6 B ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1966 R. z. HAGUE ETALPOSITIONER l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Jan. 7, 1963 T 69m 26m owlNov. 8, 1966 R. z. HAGUE ETAL POSITIONER l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 OriginalFiled Jan. '7, 1963 I NVENTORS Efi s UC Y GU M AAR R HLT m T HC A D M mmw E BWN 000p RHC Y 0% w Nov. 8, 1966 R. z. HAGUE ETAL POSITIONEROriginal Filed Jan.

10 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTORS EmF U F m GUE M AAR R HLT m T ZHC A TDD MRRA EAR BWN OOO RHCG NOV. 8, 1966 HAGUE T 3,283,782

POSITIONER Original Filed Jan. 7, 1963 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS I SRB 5' 528855 OWA gm TAPE READER BY CONRAD Q TREFF TO TRANSDUCERSATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1966 R. z. HAGUE ETAL POSITIONER 10 Sheets-Sheet 9Original Filed Jan. '7, 1965 }TO TAPE READER LOCK OR SET POSITIONQRIFICES TO TRANSDUCERS VENT T0 ATMOSPHERE 5T0 TAPE READER TAPE POSITIONTO TRANSDUCERS INVENT'ORS s CONRAD 'c. TREFF ROBERT Z. HAGUE HOWARD H.LAUCK ATTORNEYS N 1966 R. z. HAGUE ETAL 3,233,732

POSITIONER l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed Jan. '7, 1963 LAUCKS CONRADC. TREFF Q MJ INVENTORS Z. HAGUE HOWARD H.

ATTORNEYS ROBERT United States Patent Ofitice Patented Nov. 8, 1966 73,283,782 POSITIONER Robert Z. Hague, Oradell, Howard H. Laucks,Oakland, and Conrad C. Treif, New Milford, N.J., assignors to Moog Inc.,a corporation of New York Original application Jan. 7, 1963, Ser. No.249,842, now Patent No. 3,198,084, dated Aug. 3, 1965. Divided and thisapplication Sept. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 405,639 10 Claims. (Cl. 137-624.18)

This invention relates to improvements in a positioner capable of movinga member from point to point, and more particularly to such a positionerof the pneumatichydraulic type.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No.249,842, filed January 7, 1963, now Patent No. 3,198,084, issued August3, 1965.

The present invention is concerned with the control means of thepositioner which are operatively associated with fluid operated actuatormeans which actually move the member.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide positionercontrol means in which the commands are selectively and alternativelycontrolled either by manually set dial members or by a perforatedcommand tape.

Another object is to provide such positioner control means in which thedial members are easily manipulatable and which can be locked in theirselected positions.

Another object is to provide such positioner control means which enablesthe dial members to be manually adjusted while the positioner isoperating on a tape control basis so that the manual settings can becomeeffective immediately upon converting the mode-of operation to a manualcontrol basis.

Another object is to provide such positioner control means in which atape reader mechanism is employed having a novel construction.

A further object is to provide such positioner control means whichinclude manual control means having a novel construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment as shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a console or cabinet housing the novelpositioner control means of the present invention, and showing the frontdoor open to permit access to the tape control mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevational view, on an enlarged scale, ofthe manual control mechanism and tape reader mechanism included in theconsole as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the console shown in FIG. 1and showing the control mechanisms depicted in FIG. 2 as viewed from theright end thereof.

FIG. 4 is a schematic View of the positioner and associated controlmeans constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through transducermeans which are operatively associated with each of the selector valveassemblies.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of such transducer means, taken online 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a fragmentary length of perforated commandtape which is read by the tape reader mechanism of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of the tape readermechanism shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the console front wall formounting the mechanism being illustrated.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the right hand portionof the tape reader mechanism as shown veal hidden structure.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but at a lower plane and revealingthe geneva mechanism forming part of the intermittent drive for thesprocket wheel of the tape reader mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a transverse view of the tape reader mechanism, generallytaken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View of the tapereader mechanism shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal transverse sectional view thereof, taken on line13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a horizontal transverse sectional view thereof, taken on line14-14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a vertical transverse sectional view thereof, taken on line15-15 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view thereof,taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of theselective control mechanism mounted on the inclined control panel of theconsole, this view being taken generally on line 17-17 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 18 is a horizontal transverse sectional view thereof, taken on line18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view ofthe manual control mechanism, taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thereof, taken online 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIGS. 21-26 are vertical transverse sectional views thereof, taken onthe correspondingly numbered lines of FIG. 20.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view thereof,taken on line 27-27 of FIG. .25.

FIG. 28 is a similar enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional viewthereof, taken on line 28-28 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a developed diagrammatic view of the manual control means,showing the same arranged for lock or set position.

FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 but showing the manual controlmeans set for tape control position.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of one of the apertured tubes as shown inFIG. 28.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a dial member forming an element of themanual control means.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a mode member forming an element of themanual control means.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a mounting plate or port member formingan element of the manual control means.

For background information about a pneumatic-hydraulic positioner, crossreference is made to this assignees copending application of Hague etal., Serial No. 93,483, filed March 6, 1961, for Positioner. In thatapplication table and saddle members were movable relative to each otherand to a machine tool bed along X and Y axes, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the present disclosure, the numeral 1 representsa table member movable along an X axis relative to a saddle member 2which is movable along a Y axis, both members being movably mounted on amachine tool (not shown) for example. In FIG. 4, the means for movingthe table member 1 are diagrammatically illustrated. Similar means (notshown) would be associated with the saddle member 2.

A micrometer valve assembly indicated generally at 3 is operativelyassociated with the table 1 and a micrometer rotary actuator assemblyindicated generally at 4 is operatively associated with the micrometervalve 3.

This micrometer valve 3 is shown as comprising a cylinder 7 in which ahollow piston rod Sis slidably arranged, this rod carrying adjacent oneend a piston in the form 3 of a helical land 6 and having its oppositeend rotatably mounted with respect to the table 1 as provided by thebearing indicated at 8. The hollow rod has a cylindrical bore 9 in whichan inner rod 10 is relatively slidable longitudinally. While the rod 10is constrained against i longitudinal movement relative to the cylinder7, the hollow piston rod 5 is slidable thereover, thereby being movablerelative not only to the rod 10 but also the cylinder 7. The rods 5 and10 are constrained against relative rotative movement by any suitablemeans which still permit relative longitudinal movement between thesemembers. As shown, such relative rotative prevention means comprises apin 11 carried by the hollow rod 5 and projecting into a longitudinalgroove 12 provided in the inner rod 10.

The wall of the cylinder 7 has a plurality of longitudinally spacedgauge point holes 13. Operatively associated with said holes 13 is alinear selector valve assembly indicated generally at 14. This assembly14 comprises a plurality of valve plates 15 severally associated withpneumatic-to-hydraulic transducers individually indicated at 16.

The purpose of the linear selector valve assembly 14 is to determine aflow path between one of the gauge point holes 13 and a port 18 which isshown as connected via the conduit 19 with an annular chamber 20 whichsurrounds the inner rod 10 at one end of the cylinder 7. This annularchamber 20 has communication with a chamber 21 formed between the closedinner end of the hollow rod 5 and the inner end of the inner rod 10 viaa longitudinal passage 22 provided centrally in the inner rod 10 andcommunicating at one end with the chamber 21 and at its opposite endwith a transverse through hole 23 which communicates at opposite endswith the annular chamber 24 The micrometer rotary actuator assembly 4includes a vane member 24 fast to the inner rod 10 and rotatable in ahousing having a series of circumferentially spaced ports 25. Thuschambers 17 and 27 are provided on opposite sides of the vane of member24. Operatively associated with the ports 25 is a rotary selector valveassembly indicated generally at 26. This assembly 26 includes aplurality of valve plates 28 severally associated withpneumatic-to-hydraulic transducers individually indicated at 29. Theactuator chambers 17 and 27 are supplied with hydraulic fluid underpressure. As shown, a pair of branch conduits 30 each having arestriction 31 therein is shown as extendiing between a main hydraulicfluid supply conduit 32 and the chambers 17 and 27. The main supplyconduit 32 is shown as having a restriction 33 therein adjacent one endof the cylinder 7 with which such conduit communicates. The opposite endof this cylinder is shown as communicating with a return conduit 34. Therotary selector valve assembly 26 is shown as Operatively associatedwith a return conduit 35.

The positioner thus has means for moving a member such as the table 1,such means comprising hydraulic fluid operated actuator means such asthe micrometer valve assembly 3 and micrometer rotary actuator assembly4, together with means such as the selector valve assemblies 14 and 26for controlling flow of hydraulic fluid with respect to the actuatormeans 3 and 4.

The present invention is concerned primarily with the mechanism forcausing the various transducers 16 and 29 to operate. Still referring toFIG. 4, some of the transducers 16 are shown as being associated withcontrol conduits individually identified 'by the numeral 36, others withcontrol conduits 38, and still others with control conduits 39. Thevarious conduits 36, 38 and 39 are shown as connected to branch airsupply conduits 40, 41 and 42, respectively, which stem from a maincompressed air supply conduit 43. The conduits 40-42 are shown asoperatively associated with manual control means indicated generally andcollectively at 44. Such manual control means 44, as will be explainedin detail infra, are adapted to connect the various conduits -42 to theatmosphere so as to vent them in accordance with certain manually setcommand adjustments or such manual control means 44 are alternativelyand selectively operative to establish communication between theconduits 4ii42 and conduits 45-47, respectively, which terminate as apredetermined array of ports 48 in an upper surface or track of a readerhead 49 over which a perforated command tape 50 is arranged, the tapebeing held down by a vent block 51 having vent ports 52 arranged in asecond array whereby the ports 48 and 52 are severally aligned.

Some of the transducers 29 are shown as being associated with controlconduits individually identified by the numeral 53, and others withcontrol conduits 54. These conduits 53 and 54 are shown as connected tobranch air supply conduits 55 and 56, respectively, which stem from themain compressed air supply conduit 43. A solenoid valve 57 is arrangedin the conduit 43 upstream of the various branch conduits. The conduits55 and 56 are shown as Operatively associated with the manual controlmeans 44 which is adapted to connect these conduits to the atmosphere orto conduits 58 and 59, respectively which terminate in the reader headsurface 49 as more ports 48.

The pneumatic-to-hydraulic transducer means 16 and 29 are similar andhence a description of one will be considered applicable to all. Asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the two transducers illustrated may beconsidered representative of those identified individually as 16 andshown in association with the valve plates 15 of the selective valveassembly 14. Each transducer 16 is shown as having means providing fourchambers 60-63. A flexible imperforate diaphragm 64 separates thechambers 60 and 61. A nozzle separates the chambers 61 and 62 and thisnozzle has a through hole 66 which connects these chambers. The chambers62 and 63 are separated by a double acting piston 68 which is connectedvia the rod 69 to one end of the corresponding valve plates 15. Thevarious chambers 61 are connected via lateral branch conduits to a mainreturn conduit 71, as shown in FIG. 6. The various chambers 62 aremanifolded by similar lateral branch conduits 67 to a pressurizedhydraulic fluid supply conduit 72. The various chambers 63 are similanlymanifolded to a second pressurized hydraulic fluid supply conduit 73.The chamber 60 of each transducer is connected to the manual controlmeans 44 via one of the lines 36, 38 or 39, considered to be typicallyone of conduits 36 in FIG. 5.

It will be seen that the transducer chamber for pneumatic fluid isprovided by the interconnected chamber 60, conduit 36 and any furtherconduit which the manual control means 44 may place in communicationtherewith. Normally pressurized air is present in the chamber 60 asdepicted for the lower transducer illustrated in FIG. 5. Thispressurized pneumatic fluid flexes the diaphragm 64 against the outletend of the corresponding nozzle 65 so as to prevent hydraulic fluid fromflowing out of the chamber 62 through the nozzle hole 66. Since the endface of the corresponding piston 68 which faces the correspondingchamber 62 has a larger area than the opposite end face, the latterbeing of smaller area by reason of the outward projection of the pistonrod 69, a force is developed against the left end face of the piston tomove the same rightward. This extreme rightward position may be assumedto be the initial position of the piston 68. Viewed in another light, ifthe pneumatic fluid in the corresponding transducer chamber 60* isreduced to a predetermined level, the corresponding diaphragm 64 willunseat from the nozzle 65 and allow the chamber 62 to be vented to drainvia the communicating passages 66, 7 0 and 71. Thus the pressure ofhydraulic fluid in chamber 62 is reduced and the force created againstthe piston due to the higher pressure in chamber 63 will drive thispiston to the left as viewed in FIGURE 5 and as represented by the uppertransducer illustrated therein.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the operation of the variousvalve plates of the selector valve assemblies 14 and 26 may becontrolled individually by either allowing the pressure within thecorresponding transducer chamber 60 to be maintained at a high level orto reduce it by venting this chamber to the atmosphere, therebyaffecting operation of the corresponding transducer.

The function of the manual control means 44 is either to vent thevarious transducer chambers 60 in the desired manner determined bymanually set members when the positioner is adjusted for a manualcontrol mode of operation, or to vent these chambers in accordance withthe pattern of perforations in the perforated command tape 50 when thepositioner is adjusted for a tape control mode of operation.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is there illustrated a fragmentary length ofa conventional form of perforated command tape 50. The perforations 74are determined according to a binary numbering system and arranged inseveral rows or tracks, all as is well understood by those skilled inthe art. For example, eight tracks are shown but for the purposes ofcontrolling the present positioner only the first four tracks areemployed, track 1 having a value of one, track 2 a value of two, track 3a value of four and track 4 a value of eight. A row of smallerperforations 75 is shown as arranged between tracks 3 and 4 and theseperforations 75 cooperate with a sprocket drive wheel for the tape, asexplained infra. Various combinations of perforations 74 in tracks 14will pro duce any desired number from zero to nine. With a given lengthof tape 50 such as a twenty row block, a certain portion of the lengthof the block can be utilized for determining the X dimension, anotherlongitudinal portion for determining the Y dimension, and still otherlongitudinal portions for either preparatory functions or otherfunctions as indicated in FIG. 7. As shown there, five transverse rowsof perforations '74 are reserved for designating the X dimension andfour such transverse rows for designating the Y dimension.

Manual control mechanism The positioner control means of the presentinvention comprise a manual control mechanism 44X for the X axis and asimilar manual control mechanism MY for the Y axis, a tape readermechanism '77, and a selectively operable mode control means 78 foralternatively actuating manually settable means such as dial membersdescribed infra of the mechanisms 44X, 441' or the tape reader mecahnism77. The various means 44X, MY, 77 and 78 are shown as mounted on aconsole or cabinet indicated generally at 79 having an inclined controlpanel 80 on which the mecahnis-ms 44X and MY are mounted, as well as theselective control means 78, and a front wall 81 on which the tape readermechanism 77 is mounted.

The mechanisms MK and MY are similar. Hence a description of themechanism 44X is intended to be applicable to both, except as will beotherwise specifically noted.

Referring particularly to FIG. 20, the manual control mechanism 44X forthe X axis is shown as comprising a hollow shaft or tube 82 closed atone end and open at its opposite end, the latter mounting a T 83 towhich a conduit 84 is connected, this conduit supplying compressed air.The conduit 84 is comparable to the conduit 43 shown in FIG. 4. Thehollow shaft or tube 82 is shown as provided with a series of axiallyspaced annular grooves 85 in its outer periphery which communicate withthe interior of the shaft via a series of circumferentially spacedradial holes as. Arranged over each annular groove 85 is an annularmounting plate or port member 88 which has a hub 89 which surrounds theshaft. As best shown in FIGS. 25 and 34, one axially facing end face ofthe radial portion of the member 88 is provided with a shallow annularrecess 90 so as to leave an inner annular land 91 and an outer annularland 92. As best, shown in FIG. 26, the opposite side of the member 88is 2 provided with an axially extending annular portion 93-? to providean annular recess 94 in which an annular' piston member 95 is slidablyarranged.

Arranged against the outer land surface 92 is a flat sided annular modemember 96, best illustrated in FIG. 33. Arranged against this member 96is an annular dial member 98, best illustrated in FIG. 32. Both members96 and 98 surround the hub 89 of one of the adjacent port members 88, asbest shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

Referring to FIGS. 20, 27 and 28, it will be seen that the end face ofthe hub 89 of one port member 88 abuts against the inner annular land 91of the adjacent port member 88. Any leakage of air through this abuttingjuncture can be received in the recess 90 and vented in a mannerexplained infra.

As shown in FIG. 25, each of the port members 88 with the exception ofthe end member 08a (FIG. 20) is provided with a first series ofcircumferentially spaced ports 99 disposed in the outer land 92 andlying on a circular centerline having a first radius generated about thecentral longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft or tube 82. This outerland 92 is also provided with a second series of circumferentiallyspaced ports 100 lying on a circular centerline of smaller radiusgenerated about the same axis.

The body portion of the member 88 is formed internally as shown in FIG.27 to provide a generally radially extending passage 101 which at itsinner end communicates with the corresponding one of the annular grooves85 in the shaft 82 and at its outer end with a transverse manifoldchamber 102. Vertical passages extend across the horizontal manifoldchamber 102 and connect with the various ports 99 and 100, the passagesterminating in the ports 99 being identified at 103 and thoseterminating in the ports 100 at 104. To traverse the manifold passage102, these various passages 103 and 104 are enlarged in their lowerportions to receive tubes which project outwardly from the bottom of theport member 88. Those tubes associated with the passages 103 areidentified at 105 and those associated wtih the passages 104 at 106. Thetubes 106 are imperforate and their exposed lower ends are connectedseverally by lengths of flexible tubing 108 to the tape reader mechanism77 as explained infra. The other tubes 105, one of which is illustratedin FIG. 31, is not imperforate as it traverses the manifold chamber 102but rather has a restricted orifice or aperture 109 which communicateswith the chamber 102. The exposed lower ends of the tubes 105communicate severally with the corresponding transducer assembly 16 or29 via lengths of flexible tubing 110.

It will thus be seen that pressurized air flows from the interior of theshaft or tube 82 through the communicating passages 86, 85 and 101 intothe manifold chamber 102. From this chamber the air can enter thevarious apertures 109 in the tubes 105 to fill the associated passages103 and the interiors of the tubes 105 and 110 with air under pressure.However, if the consolidated chamber so provided by the passage 10-3 andthe interiors of the tubular elements 105 and 110 leading to thecorresponding transducer chamber 60 is vented to the atmosphere, say byventing the port 99 to the atmosphere, the pressure cannot be maintainedin this consolidated transducer chamber and this will operate thetransducer to move the corresponding diaphragm 64 from the closed to theopen position depicted at the bottom and top, respectively, of FIG. 5.The position of the mode member 96 controls whether the transducerchambers will be vented by the dial member 98 or the tape readermechanism 77 Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the mode member 96 has aplurality of holes 111 extending axially therethrough and arranged atcircumferentially spaced intervals on a circular centerline having thesame radius as that for the ports 99 in the port member 88. As shown inFIG. 24 the axially facing side of the mode member 3 96 which opposesthe land 92 of the adjacent mode member 88 is provided with a series ofchannels or recesses 112 adapted to establish communication betweenpredetermined pairs of ports 99 and 188. If the mode member 96 is in aposition where the holes 111 are aligned with the ports 99, these holesmerely transmit the air to the corresponding dial member 98 for apurpose explained infra. On the other hand, if the mode member 96 is ina position whereby the channels 112 are rendered effective, thesechannels operate to couple or place in communication corresponding pairsof the ports 99 and 108. This operates to place the various lines 108leading to the tape reader mechanism 77 in communication with thevarious lines 118 leading to the transducer assemblies.

Relating FIG. 25 to FIG, 4, the lines 188 shown in FIG. 25 arecomparable to any of the lines 45, 46, 47, 58 and 59 shown in FIG. 4,and the lines 118 in FIG. 25 are comparable to any of the lines 36, 38,39, 53 and 54 shown in FIG. 4.

The dial member 98 is an annular member having opposite axially facingsides. As shown in FIG. 22, that side which pposes the correspondingmode member 96 is provided with an annular land 113 which isintermediate a relatively shallow inner annular recess 114 and an outerdeeper annular recess 115. The opposite side of the dial member hasradially a circum'ferentially interrupted coplanar land surface 116outstanding from a recessed surface 118, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 32.

Within the confines of the annular recessed area 114, the dial member 98has an axial through opening 117 to the opposite recessed surface, asshown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The mode member 96 has an axial throughopening 107, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, which is located so as tocommunicate at all times with the annular recesses 90 and 114. In thismanner, the chamber 90 in which air leakage collects is always vented.

The dial member 98 has an axially extending annular flange 119 extendingoutwardly from that side of the member provided with the land surfaces116. The periphery of the annular flange 119 is provided with tennumbered stations, zero to nine, as shown in FIG. 32. Opposite eachnumbered station the periphery of the dial member is provided with aradial notch 120 so that peripheral portions of the dial peripheryproject outwardly as nodes or rounded projections 121 between adjacentpairs of notches 120.

The dial member 98 is provided with a series of holes 122 extendingaxially therethrough and arranged at predetermined circumferentiallyspaced intervals on a circular centerl-ine having a radius correspondingto that for the ports 99 in the port member 88. It will be seen that byannularly positioning the dial member 98, various combinations of holes122 can be aligned with the ports 99. Since the holes 122 communicatewith the atmosphere by reason of the radial clearance 123 which existsbetween the recessed surface 118 and the opposing face of thecorresponding piston 95, and the radial clearance 124 which existsbetween the flange 119 and the peripheries of this piston 95 and theadjacent port member 88, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the ports 99 canbe vented to the atmosphere in accordance with a predeterminedarrangement determined by the selective setting of the manually settabledail member 98.

A piston 95 is provided for clamping each assembly comprising thecorresponding dial member 88 and mode such pressure will work againstthe piston and urge the same against the lands 116 of the dial member98. In turn the dial member land 113 is forced against the opposing flatside surface of the mode member 96 which will have its opposite flatside surface, which i provided with the channels 112, pressed againstthe land 92 on the adjacent port member 88.

Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that there are five digits assignedfor the X axis, severally signifying tens, units, tents, hundredths, andthousandths. There are therefore five dial members 98 for the X axis,each of which will be associated with a corresponding one of the digits.As viewed in FIGS. 2 and 20 the right end member 88a has no ports 99 and188 and is provided only with air for servicing the adjacent piston 95on its left. Since the other or left end member 88b does not have apiston, it will be unprovided with the hole 125 as shown in FIG. 27.However, it will have ports 99 and 188 to cooperate with the mode member96 on its right.

The assembly of end members 88a and 88b and intermediate port members 88are arranged so that their various hubs 89 abut each other and the endmember 8812 is shown as abutting a shoulder 126 formed on the shaft 82.The end member 88a at the opposite end is engaged by an annular retainer128 against which a nut.129 bears, this nut being screwed onto athreaded portion 130 provided on the corresponding end of the shaft 82.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 19, 2O, 23 and 26, portions of the periphery of thevarious port members 88 are covered by arcuate seal members 131 securedby screws 127 screwed into the port members. The radially outstandingflange on each member 131 is received in the annular recess 115 of theadjacent dial member as shown in FIG. 20.

The assembly 44X is secured to the inside of the inclined control panel80 by screws 132 which pass through holes provided in the panel 88 andare received in threaded recesses provided in the end members 88a and88b. The control panel 80 is provided with slots 133 through which theperipheral portion of the dial members 98 project, the central portionof each slot being enlarged on one side as indicated at 134 in FIG. 1 topermit the number on the flange 119 of the corresponding dial member tobe viewed by the operator.

Individual detent means are provided for the various dial members 98yieldingly to hold them in any adjusted station. For this purpose, theend members 88a and 88b and intermediate port members 88 are severallyprovided with a rearwardly extending ar-m portion 135. The outer ends ofthese arms severally have aligned holes 136 which receive a pivot bar138. A detent arm 139 is pivotally mounted at one end on the pivot bar138 between each pair of adjacent port members and has a roller 140 atits opposite end. The roller 149 rides on the noded and recessedperiphery of the corresponding dial member 98.

Pivotally mounted on the opposite ends of the pivot bar 138 are a pairof end plates 141 and 142 arranged laterally outwardly of the endmostport members 8811 and 88b. Three parallel bars connect the end plates141 and 142 in 0 addition to the pivot bar 138, these additional barsinmember 96 against the corresponding fixed immovable 70 port member 88.The piston 95 derives a working fluid through a hole 125 provided in thewall of the port member 88 between the pasage 101 therein and theannular recess 94, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. Thus when pressure ispresent in the interior of the hollow shaft 82,

eluding an actuator bar 143, a spring anchor bar 144 and a shift bar145. Detent springs 146 are individually connected at one of their endsto the anchor bar 144 and at their opposite ends severally to the detentarms 139 at a place intermediate the ends of such arms, as shown in FIG.21.

The shift bar is a rod which extends transversely through a slot 148provided in a lateral arm extension 149 integrally formed with theannular portion of each of the mode members 96. The slot 148 extendsgenerally radially outwardly from the annular portion of the mode memberand includes an inner arcuate portion 150 which begins adjacent theinner end of the dial member notches 128 and is generated about thelongitudinal axis of the pivot bar 138. When the shift bar 145 is in thearcuate portions 150 of the slots 148, it is capable of entering thenotches 121) in the dial member peripheries. When so entering suchnotches, the dial members 98 are locked against rotation. However, whenthe shift bar 145 is toward the radially outer end of the arcuateportions 150 so as to be withdrawn from the natches 120, the variousdial members 98 are free to be rotated while there still has been noshift in angular position of the mode members 96. As shown in FIG. 19,the position of the shift member 145 is a locked or dial position whenat 145L, at a set position when at 1458, and in a tape position when at145T. When the shift bar is either in the 1451. or 1455 positions, themode members 96 are in the manual control position 96M depicted in FIG.19 and when the shift bar is at the 145T position the mode members arein the tape control position depicted at 96T. Corresponding to thevarious shift bar positions 145L, 1455 and 145T are the respectiveactuating bar positions 143L, 1438 and 143T.

The selective control means 78 on the control panel 81 are operativelyassociated with the actuator bar 143 of the manual control assembly 44X.Referring to FIGS. 1, l7 and 18. the means 78 are shown as comprising aknob lever 151 fast to the upper end of a shaft 152 which extendsperpendicularly to and through :a hole provided in the inclined controlpanel 81). The upper end of this shaft 152 is suitably journalled on thepanel 811 and the lower end is suitably journalled on a bracket 153secured in any suitable manner to the control panel 81) as by the screwand nut fasteners 154. The shaft 152 is shown as formed with an integralradially outwardly extending arm 155 carrying a roller 156 at its outerend. This roller 156 is adapted to engage the actuator bar 143. The arm155 is capable of assuming three positions designated in FIG. 17 as15512, 1555 and 155T. A spring loaded ball detent 158 cooperating withthree recesses one of which is represented at 159 in FIG. 18 providemeans for yieldingly holding the selective control means 78 in any ofthe three desired positions, namely, lock, set, and tape, thesepositions corresponding to the sufflces L7,? S CT-77 The bracket 153 isshown as carryin" a first pressurized fluid enabling switch 160 having atrip arm 161 adapted to engage the actuator bar 153. The bracket 153also carries a second pressurized fluid enabling switch 162 having atrip arm 163. The arm 163 is adapted to be engaged by a finger 164extending laterally from the outer end of the arm 155. The trip arm 161for the switch 160 engages the actuator bar 143 when in its lockedposition 1431. but disengages this bar when in its set position 1435.The function of the switch 161) is to close a circuit through the airsolenoid valve 57 (FIG. 4) and thereby control the application ofpressurized pneumatic fluid to the manual control means 44X and 441,such switch operating to not apply such pressure when the actuator bar143 is in the set position 1438. The finger 164 does not engage the triparm 163 of the switch 162 until the arm 155 is in the tape position155T. When in this position the switch 162 will close a circuit throughthe air solenoid valve 57 and thereby control the application ofpressurized pneumatic fluid to the manual control means 44X and MY.

The assembly comprising the actuator bar 143, spring anchor bar 144 andshift bar 145, all connected at their opposite ends to the end plates141 and 142, is movable as a unitary structure above the axis of thepivot bar 133.

The similar bar assembly for the manual control means 44Y is coupled tothat for the manual control mechanism 44X. While this may beaccomplished in any suitable manner, it is shown in FIG. 2 as achievedby connecting the opposing end plates 142 and 141Y by means of a bolt orpin 165. The manual control mechanism 44X is arranged so that its pivotbar is concentric to the pivot bar 138 for the mechanism 44X. Themechanism 44Y is similar in construction to that for the mechanism 44X.

18 A difference is that the hollow shaft or tube 82Y of the mechanism44Y is shown reversed so that its open end can be received in the T 83so as to receive compressed air supplied by the conduit 84. 7

Tape reader mechanism The tape reader mechanism 77 is shown ascomprising a back plate 168 having a rectangular outline and arrangedbehind the front wall 81 of the console and having its marginal portionoverlapping a rectangular opening 169 provided in such wall. Suitablefasteners indicated at 170 such as nuts and bolts are arranged atintervalts along the overlapping portions of the plate 168 and Wall 81to pass through registered holes provided therein for fastening thesemembers together.

The back plate 168 has mounted thereon the fixed lower reader head 4which is in the form of a block. As best shown in FIG. 2, the fixedblock 49 is held to the front face of the plate 168 by a series ofscrews 171, six being shown, which have threaded shanks passing throughholes provided in the back plate 168 and received in threaded recessesprovided in the block 49.

This block has an upper flat horizontal surface 172 over which theperforated command tape 50 is drawn, such tape being guided in itstravel toward the upper flat surface 172 by outwardly projectingtransversely and longitudinally spaced guide pins 173 outstanding fromthe curved entrance end of the block 49. As shown in FIG. 13, thecentral portion of the track surface 172 of the block 49 is providedwith a rectangular area 174 defined on three sides by two transversegrooves 175 connected by a first longitudinal groove 176. A secondlongitudinal groove 178 is arranged within the area 174 and extendsparallel to and spaced from the groove 176. Three rows of ports 48 arearranged between the back plate 168 and the longitudinal groove 178,these rows being numbered in FIG. 13 as 1, 2 and 3. A fourth row of suchports 4% is arranged between the tWo grooves 176 and 173. The variousports 48 in the array disclosed are the upper terminal of verticalpassages 181) provided in the block 49. The lower ends of these passages180 communicate with the inner ends of horizontal passages 181 whichopen to the rear face of the block 49, as shown in FIG. 15. Thesehorizontal passages 181 severally receive nipples or short lengths oftubes 182 which project outwardly through an opening 183 formed in theback plate 16%. Connected to these nipples 182 are the ends of thelengths of flexible tubing 108 shown in FIG. 25. The tubing 188 andpassages 181 and 180 shown in FIG. 15 are comparable to the conduits45-47, 58 and 59 shown in FIG. 4.

The tape reader mechanism 77 also includes the vent block 51 which isarranged above the track surface 172 for vertical movement toward andaway from such surface. This block 51 has a flat lower horizontalsurface 185 the shape and area of which correspond to that of area 174and as shown in FIG. 14 includes an array of ports 52 similar to thearray of ports 48 shown in FIG. 13. Thus four rows of ports 52 areprovided which are adapted severally to be vertically aligned with theports 48. The ports 52 are the lower termini of vertical passages 156provided in the block 51. The upper ends of adjacent ones of thesevertical passages 186 communicate with enlarged transverse holes 188which extend horizontally across the movable block 51 and open :atopposite ends to the side of this block. In this manner, the ports 52communicate with the atmosphere.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15, the movable block 51 is arranged within ahousing 189 which is formed with recess 1% which is relatively narrow ina vertical directio but is enlarged as it opens to the rear face of thehousin 189 as indicated at 191. This recess 1% also has a opening at itslower surface which communicams with chamber for the block 51 which isformed by vertica longitudinal surfaces 192 and vertical transversesurface 193 on the housing 189. The housing 189 is arranged on the frontside of the back plate 168 and is secured thereto in any suitable manneras by a plurality of screws 194, eight being shown in FIG. 2, each ofwhich has a threaded shank passing through a hole provided in the backplate 168 and received in threaded recesses provided in the housing 189.The vertical sides of the movable block 51 which is generallyrectangular in form have a slight clearance with respect to the surfaces192 and 193 so that this block is vertically movable freely in itshousing chamber.

Means are provided for urging this movable block 51 downwardly to clampthe same against the tape 50 intermediate it and the fixed lower block49. Such means are shown as operating on pneumatic fiuid and including abladder member 197 having a mouth 193 surrounded by a lip portion 199.The bladder member 197 has an external shape corresponding to that ofthe recess 190 in the housing 189. Internally, the top wall of thebladder member 197 is provided with several integral dependingprojections or cores 200. These tend to reduce the volume of the cavity201 of the bladder member. It will be seen that the flexible lower wallof the bladder member 197 overlies the upper fiat surface of the movableblock 51. The lip portion 199 is received in the enlarged recess portion191 but the exposed or rear surface of this lip portion engages thefiront surface of the back plate 168 and therefore forms its own gasketfor the bladder member. Compressed air is admitted to the cavity 201 ofthe bladder member through a tube 202 which is mounted on the back plate168 and extends therethrough. The other end of the tube 202 is shown inFIG. 19 as connected to the interior of the T 83. It will be seen thatby inflating the bladder member 197, the movable block 51 will be forceddownwardly.

Means are provided to resist yieldingly the downward movement of theblock 51 and also to provide for retrogression of this block, all whileguiding the block in its vertical movement to assume proper registry ofthe ports 52 and 48. Such means are shown in FIG. 14 as comprising aspring indicated generally at 1203 including a generally rectangularleaf portion 204 surrounding the movable block 51 and fitting into thebottom opening of the housing 189. This leaf portion 204 is shown ashaving an inturned lug element 205 and also a boss element 207 arrangedat each corner of the movable block 51. Each of these lug elements 205is adapted to engage a downwardly facing shoulder 206 formed on the endof the block 51 by undercutting the end wall thereof. The boss elements207 engage the corresponding side surfaces of the block 51. The springmember 203 is also shown as including a pair of integral flexiblesupport arms 208 which extend inwardly from the opposite narrow ends ofthe rectangular leaf portion. The inner end of each spring arm 208 issecured to the lower end of a wall portion 209 of the housing 189, as bya screw 210. Each of the screw 210 has a threaded shank which passesthrough a hole in the end of the spring arm 208 and is received in athreaded recess provided in the corresponding housing portion 209.

When the bladder member 197 is inflated, the vent block 51 is forceddownwardly against the urging of the spring 203. When the interior ofthe bladder member 197 is vented, the spring 203 will restore or liftthe vent block 51.

Means are provided for intermittently moving a predetermined length ofthe tape 50 along the track surface 172. Such means are shown in FIGS.11-13 as comprising a sprocket wheel 212 suitably journalled forrotation about a horizontal transverse axis on side wall portions 213and 214 which are left after providing one end of the fixed block 49with a recess 215 to accommodate this sprocket wheel. The sprocket wheelis shown as having a row of circumferentially spaced teeth 216 which arealigned with the groove 178 over which the holes 75 in the tape 50 passo that these teeth 216 enter the tape holes 75. The sprocket wheel 212is fast to a horizontal shaft 210 which extends rearwardly through ahole 219 provided in the back plate 168, as shown in FIG. 11.

Suitable drive means are provided for imparting a predetermined butadjustable angular movement to the sprocket wheel 212. Such means areshown in FIGS. 10

and 11 as comprising a gcneva mechanism indicated generally at 220. Thimechanism includes a geneva cross member 221 having a series of radialslots .222 each adapted to cooperate successively with a geneva cammember 223. This cam member has a partial cylindrical hub 224 and an arm225 the outer end of which carries a roller 226. The cam member 223 isfast to the output or driven shaft 227 of a gear reducer 228 driven byan electric motor 229. As shown in FIG. 10, the geneva cam member 223 isadapted to engage the trip 230 of an electric switch 231 and also thetrip 232 of a second electric switch 233. The switches 231 and 233 aresuitably fastened to the rear side of the back plate 168. Switch 231 isoperatively associated with the air solenoid valve 57 (FIG. 4) andswitch 233 is operatively associated with electric motor 229.

The superposed cases of the geneva cam drive motor 229 and gear reducer228 are mounted on a bracket 234 which covers the geneva mechanism 220and has three downturned integral legs with feet 235, 236 and 237 whichrest on the rear surface of the back plate 168. The foot 235 is providedwith a close fitting hole to receive the shank of a pivot screw 239which passes through this hole and screws into a threaded recessprovided in the back plate 168. Each of the feet 236 and 237 is providedwith an enlarged hole 240 through which the shank of a fastening bolt241 extends. These bolts 241 pass through holes in the back plate 168and each carries a nut 242 which bears against the outer surface of thecorresponding foot 236 or 237. It will thus be seen that by looseningthe nuts 242 and the screw 239, the motor support bracket 234 is capableof being swung or pivoted around the axis of the pivot screw 239, theenlarged holes 240 in the bracket permitting such movement withincertain elements. Once the desired adjustment is achieved, the nuts 242are re-tightened as well as the pivot screw 239 so as to firmly hold themotor support bracket 234 against the back plate 168.

The electric motor 229 and gear reducer 228 as a unit are adjustablymounted on the bracket 234. For this purpose, the cases of the reducerand motor are provided with registered holes adjacent their four cornersto receive through bolts, three of which are indicated at 244 and one ofwhich is indicated at 245 in FIGS. 2 and 9. The end of the bolt 245adjacent the bracket 244 passes through a closely fitting hole in thisbracket and is secured thereto by a nut 246 (FIG. 3). The ends of theother bolts 244 pass through enlarged holes 248 provided in the bracket234 and the extremities of these bolts carry nuts 249 (FIG. 3). The bolt245 serves as a pivot bolt. By loosening this and the other bolts 244,the motor 229 and reducer 228 can be swung as a unit about the axis ofthe pivot bolt 245. When the desired adjustment is achieved, the bolts244 and 245 are tightened. The shaft 227 extends through an enlargedhole 243 in the bracket 234.

The above described adjustment of the bracket 234 relative to the backplate 163 about the axis of the pivot screw 239 determines theorientation of the Geneva cam member 223 relative to the Geneva crossmember 221 and thereby the initial and final angular positions of thesprocket wheel 212 whereby the longitudinal orientation of the tape 50relative to the reader area 174 and the ports 48 therein is determined.The adjustment of the motor and reducer unit 229, 228 relative to thebracket 234 about the axis of the pivot bolt 245 determines the backlashbetween the geneva cross and the cam members 221 and 223', respectively.

Retractible guide means are provided for holding the tape 50 against thetrack on the fixed reader block 49 at each end of the track. Such meanscomprise a first holddown plate 250 arranged at the entrance or left endof the track as viewed in FIG. 12, and a second hold-down plate 251arranged at the outlet or right end of the track. Each of the hold-downplates includes a rounded terminal part 252 which embraces thecorresponding end of the track and each plate also includes anupstanding part 253 having a pair of laterally extending parallel arms254. The ends of the arms 254 are provided with aligned horizontal holeswhich receive a horizontal pivot pin 255 suitably supported on thehousing 189, as best shown in FIG. 16. The pin 255 for each of thehold-down plate 250 and 251 extends transversely of the tape track.Operatively interposed between the housing 189 and the corresponding oneof the plates 2519 and 251 is a spring 256. It is shown as a wind-upspring having convolutions surrounding an intermediate portion of thecorresponding pivot pin 255. The springs 256 are so arranged that theplate 250 is urged to swing in a counterclockwise direction around itspivot pin 255, as viewed in FIG. 12, and the other plate 251 in aclockwise direction about the axis of its pivot pin 255. The curvedportion 252 of the hold-down plate 251 is shown as having a slot 262through which the teeth 216 of the sprocket wheel 212 can project.

Cam means are provided for manually raising the tape hold-down plates251! and 251 by rotating them opposite to the respective directions justmentioned. For this purpose, a cam shaft 258 is journalled on thehousing 189 and extends longitudinally of the tape track over theinflatable bladder member 197. One end of the shaft extends outwardly ofthe housing and has fast thereto a lever or fingerpiece 259. Adjacentthe upright portion 253 of each plate 254) and 251 the shaft 258 isprovided with a cam surface 260 which is formed by providing a notch inthe shaft. The flat base surface of each notch 260 engages thecorresponding upper horizontal fiat edge of the upright portion 253. Itwill be seen that by rotating the cam shaft 258 as by manipulating thefinge-rpiece 259, the cam surfaces 266 can depress the upper portions253 of the plates 259 and 251 causing them to lift away from the tapetrack Preferably, a spring wire 261 is bowed over the upper surface ofthe cam shaft adjacent each end thereof to provide a frictionalresistance to turning of the shaft. The ends of each such spring wire261 are shown as received in suitable recesses provided in the housing189.

OPERATIONMANUAL CONTROL The selector lever 151 (FIG. 1) is manuallyplaced in the set position so that the arm 155 is placed in the position1553 (FIG. 17). In this position, the switch 169 is disengaged so thatthe air solenoid valve 57 (FIG. 4) is not energized and remains closed.The actuator bar 143 is in its set position 1435 (FIG. 17) and the shiftbar 14 5 is in the position 1458 (FIG. 19) so as to be withdrawn fromthe notches 120 in the dial members 98. The mode members 96 are in themanual position 96M (FIG. 19).

The various dial members 98 of both manual control mechanisms 44X and MYmay now be adjusted to represent the desired dimensions for movement ofthe table and saddle members along the X and Y axes. With the hollowshafts 82 and 82Y being unfilled with compressed air, the pistons 95 arenot urged to a clamping position, thereby leaving the various dialmembers 98 to be freely rotatable. During rotation of these dialmembers, their individual detent rollers 14-0 successively engage therecesses between nodes 121 and yieldingly hold the corresponding dialmember in any desired station. Rotation of these dial members 98, onefor each digit, sets up a pattern of their holes 122 with the holes 111in the mode members 96. These holes 111 are severally alined with theports 99 in the corresponding port members 88.

After the dial members have been manually set as desired, the operatorthen moves the selector lever 151 to the lock position thereby movingthe arm 155 to the position 155L (FIG. 17). This moves the actuator bar143 to the position 143L engaging the trip 161 for the switch allowingair in the main conduit 43 upstream of the air solenoid valve 57 to flowpast this valve. This admits 3 air into conduit 84 (comparable toconduit 43 in FIG.

4) which in turn through the T 83 supplies compressed air to theinteriors of the hollow shafts 82 and 82Y.

Compressed air passes through the radial holes 86, an nular grooves 85,into the passages 101 of the various port members 88. Some fluid entersthrough the holes 125 int-o the cylinder chambers 94 for the variouspistons 95 there-by urging the same to clamp their associated dialmember 98 and mode member 96 against the adjacent port member 98.

Compressed air is also admitted into the manifold chamber 1 92. Throughthe orifices 109 in the various tubes 105, pressurized air enters theinteriors of the tubing 110 and the passages 103. The tubes 110 lead tothe various transducer chambers 60.

It will be seen that if a particular port 99 is vented to the atmospherevia a hole 111 in the mode member 96 in registry with a hole 122 in thecorresponding dial member 98, such hole 122 being in communication withthe atmosphere via the clearances 123 and 124 (FIGS. 27 and 28), thecorresponding transducer chamber 60 (FIG. 5) is vented to theatmosphere. If so vented to the atmosphere, the corresponding transducerdiaphragm 64 Will assume the position shown at the top in FIG. 5

thereby allowing the corresponding transducer piston 68 v to moveleftward and shift the corresponding valve plate. On the other hand, ifan alined port 99 and hole 111 is blocked by a surface portion of theland 113 on the dial member 98, the pressure of the correspondingtransducer chamber 6d will be maintained. This maintained pressure willcause the corresponding transducer diaphragm to assume the flexedposition illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 5 thereby holding thecorresponding transducer piston and connected valve plate in theirrightward position.

The relationship of a port member 88, rnode member 36 and dial member98, when the mode of operation is selected for manual control, isdepicted diagrammatically in FIG. 29. There it will be seen that thevarious tubes 1135 communicate with the manifold chamber 102 via theorifices 109 in such tubes. Also, the ports 99 communicate with theholes 111. In FIG. 29 only one hole 122 in the dial member 98 isillustrated and this is shown in alinement with the corresponding hole111 in the mode member 96. Thus the leftmost tube 105 will be vented tothe atmosphere and hence the transducer chamber 60 associated therewith.This allows the corresponding transducer diaphragm 64 to separate fromthe corresponding nozzle 65 and shift the corresponding transducerpiston 68 and valve plate 15 connected thereto. The other holes 111shown in FIG. 29 are blocked by imperforate surface portions of the land113 of the dial member 98. Therefore the transducer chambers 60associated with such blocked tubes 1% will have their pressuremaintained so as to flex the corresponding transducer diaphragms 64 asdepicted at the bottom of FIG. 5.

When the positioner is set up for manual control, it will be seen thatthe tape reader mechanism 77 is inoperative, this because the ports 100in the port member 88 are blocked by the mode member 96 and are notplaced in communication with the corresponding ports 99.

It will also be noted that when the selector lever is changed from itsset to its lock position so that the arm 155 moves from position 1558 to155L, the actuator bar 143 follows in moving from its position 1438 toits position 143L. This is due to the urging of the various detentsprings 146 which biases the end plate-bar assembly 141445 to acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 21 or a clockwise directionas viewed in FIG. 19. Such movement swings the shift bar from itsposition 1453 at the radially outer end of the arcuate portions 159 ofthe slots 148 in the various irnode members 88, to its position 1451 atthe radially inner end of the arcuate 1 5 portions 150 and into thenotches 120 in the dial members 98 thereby locking these dial membersagainst rotation. The shift bar 145 entering the notches 121) assuresthe proper registry of the holes 122 in the dial members 98 with theholes 111 in the mode members 96.

OPERATIONTAPE CONTROL When the selector lever 151 is manually turned toa tape position, the arm 155 associated with this lever will move to thetape position 155T (FIG. 17). This causes the actuator bar 143 to assumethe tape position 143T and the shift bar 145 the tape position 145T. Inmoving to position 145T, the shift bar moves into the radially outerportion of the slots 148 in the mode members 96 thereby shifting them tothe tape position 96T represented in FIG. 19. Now the mode members 98have been angularly moved or pivoted about the axis of the hollow shafts82 and 82Y to move the recesses 112 in the mode members into a positionwith respect to the ports 99 and 190 in the corresponding port member 88so as to place corresponding ancl predetermined pairs of these ports incommunication with each other.

This is diagrammatically depicted in FIG. 30. There it will be seen thatthe mode member 96 has been shifted so that the recesses 112 therein nowestablish communication between corresponding pairs of ports 99 and 100.The holes 111 in the mode member 96 have been shifted laterally of theports 99 so that these ports cannot be vented through the dial member96.

If air is now supplied to the interior of the hollow shafts 82 and 82Y,the pistons 95 will clamp the associated dial members 98 and modemembers 96, as previously explained, to prevent leakage between opposingfaces. Also air entering the tubes 105 through the orifice 109 thereinwill flow through the corresponding recesses 112 and be by-passed to thecorresponding tubes 1%. These tubes are in communication through thetubing 198 with the ports 48 in the tape reader mechanism.

It is assumed that the tape 50 is in the intended position between thesurfaces 172 and 185 of the blocks 49 and 51, respectively. The portionof the tape 5%), such as a twenty row block, overlying the track area174 on fixed block 49 will have perforations therein corresponding tothe desired dimensions intended for both the X axis and Y axis. Thus,some of the ports 48 will be blocked by the tape whereas others will beuncovered by alined perforations in the tape. The uncovered ports 48will then be placed in communication with the overlying and alinedcorresponding ports 52 in the vent block 51. The ports 48 are incommunication 'with the atmosphere.

What turns on the compressed air supply is switch 162 (FIG. 17) renderedoperative when arm 155 is in its tape position 155T. Switch 162 when soactuated closes a circuit through air solenoid valve 57 (FIG. 4) to openthis valve and allow compressed air to flow through conduit 84, T 83into the interiors of hollow shafts 82 and 82Y and also through the tube202 into the interior of the bladder member 197. Compressed air withinthe hollow shafts 82 and SZY will allow the compressed air to follow thecourse previously explained leading to the transducer chambers 69.Compressed air entering the bladded member 197 will inflate the samethereby clamping vent block 51 against the tape 50 which inturn overliesthe reading area 174 on the fixed block 49.

It will be understood that successive and different positions of thetable and saddle members may be desired to be commanded by theperforated tape 50. For this, it is necessary to position anotherpredetermined length or block of tape 50 between the reader heads 49 and51. Suitable cycling means (not shown) will de-energize the :airsolenoid valve 57 so as to vent the cavity of inflatable bladder 197thereby permitting the spring 203 to lift the vent block 49. At somesuitable subsequent time the electric motor 229 is energized therebyrotating the (Geneva cam 223 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG.10 starting from the position there illustrated. During the rotation ofthe cam member 223, the roller 226 will enter the adjacent slot 222 inthe Geneva cross member 221 and cause this member to rotate in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 10. Thus the cross member221 and the sprocket wheel 212 will be driven through a one-quarterrevolution. As the cam 226 leaves the slot 22 which it had entered toeffect the quarter turn drive, the arm 23 will engage the trip 230 ofthe switch 231. This switch will be in circuit with the air solenoidvalve 57 and actuate this valve as previously explained.

The Geneva cam member 223 will continue to rotate, leaving the trip 23dand successively engaging the trip 232 of the other switch 233. Theswitch 233 is operatively associated with a circuit including the motor229, this switch being operative to stop this motor, thus leaving theGeneva cam member 233 in the position illustrated in FIG. 10.

The reading act takes only a relatively short time such as five seconds.Thus the compressed air is admitted to the hollow shafts 82 and 32Y andto the inflatable bladder member 197 for this brief time. Usually amachining operation of considerably longer duration follows a tapereading during which time and while the air solenoid valve 57 is closed,the tape 50 is advanced so that a new block of tape can be read, if themode of operation is adjusted for automatic tape control.

There may be a semi-automatic tape control mode of operation in which amanually controlled operation is desired to follow a tape controlledoperation. If so, after the tape has been read for the last time, thecompressed air supply being turned off and the clamping pistons beingrelieved, the dial members 98 are free to be rotated to the manuallyselected positions desired. Then when the actuator lever 151 is turnedto lock, the positioner will go into a manual control mode of operationwith the dimension control already set up. Thus the dial members 98 canbe manually set while a machining operation is being performed after thetape has been read for the last time.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the embodiment of the inventionillustrated and described achieves the various objects stated. Theembodiment is intended as illustrative rather than limitative of theinvention the scope of which is to be determine by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means including first and secondbodies having opposing fiat surfaces between which a perforated commandtape may be arranged and said bodies being relatively movable solely ina direction perpendicular to said surfaces, said first body havingreader chambers operatively associated with said transducer chambers andterminating in the said surface of said first body as a predeterminedarray of first ports, said second body having vent passages terminatingin the said surface of said second body as a similar array of secondports severally opposing and aligned with said first ports, and fluidoperated means for moving said bodies toward each other to clamp anytape therebetween.

2. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means including first and secondbodies having opposing flat surfaces between which a perforated commandtape may be arranged and said bodies being relatively movable solely ina direction perpendicular to said surfaces, said first body havingreader chambers operatively associated with said transducer chambers andterminating in the said surface of said first body as a predeterminedarray of first ports, said second body having vent passages terminatingin the said surface of said second body as a similar array of secondports severally opposing and aligned with said first ports, spring meansyieldingly holding one of said bodies away from the other and fluidoperated means operative to move said one o said bodies toward the other17 against the urging of said spring means thereby to clamp any tapebetween said bodies, said spring means operating to retrogress said oneof said bodies when said fluid operative means is rendered inoperative.

3. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means including first and secondbodies having opposing flat surfaces between which a perforated commandtape may be arranged and said bodies being relatively movable solely ina direction perpendicular to said surfaces, said first body havingreader chambers operatively associated with said transducer chambers andterminating in the said surface of said first body as a predeterminedarray of first ports, said second body having vent passages terminatingin the said surface of said second body as a similar array of secondports severally opposing and aligned with said first ports, springmeans'yieldingly holding said second body away from said first body andan inflatable bladder member arranged on that side of said second bodyopposite from said first body and operative when inflated with apressurized fluid to move said second body toward said first bodyagainst the urging of said spring means thereby to clamp any tapebetween said bodies, said spring means operating to retrogress saidsecond body when said bladder member is deflated.

4. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means including fixed and movableblocks having opposing surfaces between which a perforated command tapemay be arranged, said fixed block having reader chambers operativelyassociated with said transducer chambers and terminating in the saidsurface of said fixed block as a predetermined array of first ports, afixed housing member, said movable block being arranged on said housingmember and having vent passages terminating in the said surface of saidmovable block as a similar array of second ports severally opposing andaligned with said first ports, lateral projections on said movable blockhaving shoulders facing said fixed block, spring means yieldinglyholding said movable block away from said fixed block and including anenclosed leaf portion surrounding said movable block, lug elementsextending inwardly from said leaf portion and engaging said shouldersand flexible sup port arms extending inwardly from said leaf portion andmeans fastening the inner ends of said arms to said housing member, andfluid operated means operative to move said movable block toward saidfixed block against the urging of said spring means thereby to clamp anytape between said blocks, said spring means operating to retrogress saidone of said bodies when said fluid operated means is renderedinoperative.

5. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means including fixed and movableblocks having opposing surfaces between which a perforated command tapemay be arranged, said fixed block having reader chambers operativelyassociated with said transducer chambers and terminating in the saidsurface of said fixed block as a predetermined array of first ports, afixed housing member, said movable block being arranged on said housingmember and having vent passages terminating in the said surface of saidmovable block as a similar array of second ports severally opposing andaligned with said first ports, lateral projections on said movable blockhaving shoulders facing said fixed block, spring means yieldinglyholding said movable block away from said fixed block and including anenclosed leaf portion surrounding said movable block, lug elementsextending inwardly from said leaf portion and engaging said shouldersand flexible support arms extending inwardly from said leaf portion andmeans fastening the inner ends of said arms to said housing member, andan inflatable bladder member arranged in said housing member on thatside of said movable block opposite from said fixed block and operativewhen inflated with a pressurized fluid to move said mov- 18 able blocktoward said fixed block against the urging of said spring means therebyto clamp any tape between said blocks, said spring means operating toretrogress said movable block when said bladder member is deflated.

6. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means including a back plate, afixed block mounted on the front side of said plate and providing atrack surface for a perforated command tape, said fixed block havingreader chambers operatively associated with said transducer chambers andterminating in said track surface as a predetermined array of firstports, a housing member mounted on said front side of said plate andincluding a recess having a'rear opening and a bottom opening andupright surfaces adjacent said bottom opening to define a compartment, avent block arranged in said compartment and accessible to said recessthrough said bottom opening and vertically movable toward and away fromsaid fixed block and having vent passages terminating in a surfaceopposing said track as a similar array of second ports severallyopposing and aligned with. said first ports, an inflatable bladdermember arranged within said recess above said vent block and havingamouth surrounded by a lip portion exposed through said rear opening soas to sealingly engage said front side of said 'plate, and means forintroducing pressurized fluid into said bladder member whereby itsinflation forces said vent block toward said fixed block to clamp anytape therebetween.

7. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means including a back plate, afixed block mounted on the front side of said plate and providing atrack surface for a perforated command tape, said fixed block havingreader chambers operatively associated with said transducer chambers andterminating in said track surface as a predetermined array of firstports, a housing member mounted on said front side of said plate andincluding a recess having a rear opening and a bottom opening andupright surfaces adjacent said bottom opening to define a compartment, avent block arranged in said compartment and accessible to said recessthrough said bottom opening and vertically movable toward and away fromsaid fixed block and having vent passages terminating in a surfaceopposing said track as a similar array of second ports severallyopposing and aligned with said first ports, an inflatable bladder memberarranged within said recess above said vent block and having a mouthsurrounded by a lip portion exposed through said rear opening so as tosealingly engage said front side of said plate, said bladder memberhaving integral internal projections on the side thereof remote fromsaid vent block whereby the other side of said bladder member whichopposes said vent block is more flexible than said remote side and thevolume of fluid required to inflate said bladder member is reduced, andmeans for introducing pressurized fluid through said back plate intosaid bladder member through said mouth thereof whereby inflation of saidbladder member forces said vent block toward said fixed block to clampany tape therebetween.

8. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means operatively associated withsaid chambers and including a frame having a track over which aperforated command tape may be drawn, sprocket wheel means supported onsaid frame for moving said tape along said track and means for holdingsaid tape against said track including a plate pivotally mounted on saidframe, spring means urging said plate toward said track into contactwith said tape and manually operated cam means for swinging said plateabout its pivotal mounting away from said track against the urging ofsaid spring means.

9. In positioning apparatus, the combination comprising means providingtransducer chambers, and tape reader means operatively associated withsaid chambers and including a frame having a track over which aperforated command tape may be drawn, sprocket wheel means supported onsaid frame at one end of said track for moving said tape thereover andretractable means for holding said tape against said track including aplate at each end of said track and pivotally mounted on said frame soas to be movable toward and away from the corresponding end of saidtrack, individual spring means urging said plates toward said track intocontact with said tape, said plates severally having a lever foreffecting pivotal movement of its plate, a shaft journalled on saidframe and traversing said levers and having cam surfaces severallyoperatively engaging said levers and a fingerpiece for rotating saidshaft.

10. In positioning apparatus including means providing transducerchambers, and tape reader means operatively associated with saidchambers and including a frame having a track over which a perforatedcommand tape may be drawn and; sprocket wheel means rotatably mounted onsaid frame and drivingly engaging said tape to move thesame along saidtrack, the combination therewith of drive means for imparting apredetermined but adjustable angular movement to said sprocket wheelmeans, comprising a Geneva cross member rotatable with said sprocketwheel means about the axis thereof, a bracket member mounted on saidframe for adjustable pivotal movement about a second axis eccentric tothe sprocket wheel axis, a rotatable Geneva cam member, a drive motorfor said cam member mounted on said bracket for adjustable pivotalmovement about a third axis eccentric to the other axes, wherebyadjustment of said bracket relative to said frame about said second axisdetermines the orientation of said tape relative to said track in thelongitudinal direction of said tape and the adjustment of said motorrelative to said bracket about said third axis determines the back lashbetween said Geneva cross and cam members References Cited by theExaminer UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,456,560 5/ 1923 Metropole 197203,074,431 1/1963 Schwartz 251- X 3,124,042 3/1964 Mahan 137-62418 XFOREIGN PATENTS 518,484 11/1955 Canada. 643,299 6/ 1962 Canada.

WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

ALAN COHAN, ISADOR WEIL, MARTIN P.

SCHWADRON, Examiners.

1. IN POSITIONING APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING MEANS PROVIDINGTRANSDUCER CHAMBERS, AND TAPE READER MEANS INCLUDING FIRST AND SECONDBODIES HAVING OPPOSING FLAT SURFACES BETWEEN WHICH A PERFORATED COMMANDTAPE MAY BE ARRANGED AND SAID BODIES BEING RELATIVELY MOVABLE SOLELY INA DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SURFACES, SAID FIRST BODY HAVINGREADER CHAMBERS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TRANSDUCER CHAMBERS ANDTERMINATING IN THE SAID SURFACE OF SAID FIRST BODY AS A PREDETERMINEDARRAY OF FIRST PORTS, SAID SECOND BODY HAVING VENT PASSAGES TERMINATINGIN THE SAID SURFACE OF SAID SECOND BODY AS A SIMILAR ARRAY